Upgrade project for Server admin team

Hi, we have 12 types of poweredge running in our environment. All are NT4,Windows2000 and Windows 2003.

We also have a internal webpage with all supported, validated drivers and firmwares and we intend create a "change template" toour team. I would like to hear from you what would you suggest us to do as the bestpractice procedure. We have drac in some servers and we intend use "windows package" for all win2000 and win2003 when possible.

 

Question 1: the windows 2000 procedure

So, for win2000, win2003, we usually upgrade, bios/frm/perc drv and perc frm/open manager/array manager. here is the step by step installation: 5 reboots required - there is any advices to reduce the reboots ?

 

1. clear Reboot

2. update the BIOS/ESM (windows package) - reboot

3. Update Perc driver and firmware - reboot
4. check the updates and Unistall Dell OpenManage Software and Array Manager.
5. Run OMClean if necessary
6. Reboot Server.
7. Install Dell OpenManage Software 4.5 and Array Manager 3.6a05  
8. Reboot server

 

Question 2: How to verify the ESM version without ran the DSET ? when open the open manager, the software usually show us the BMC version not the ESM version. So I need find out a table or create one with the ESM version = BMC version. I was looking for the information to create this table but I didn't find.

 

Here is the type of server we have: DELL 2300 DELL 2800 DELL 4600 DELL 6400 DELL 2400 DELL 4300 DELL 6300 DELL 6450 DELL 2500 DELL 4400 DELL 6350 DELL 6650 DELL 2600

Controllers: Perc 3dc/ Perc 2 / Perc 2dc / Perc 4 / Perc 3 di / Perc 2 QC

 

Appreacite you help.